Aerogarden Harvest Review
The Aerogarden Harvest lets you garden indoors, using hydroponics to grow herbs, vegetables, and flowers. It’s equipped with a lighting system mimicking natural sunlight and a pump providing oxygen to plant roots. From basil to tomatoes, the Harvest supports various plants, though size restrictions apply for larger produce. Manual pollination is possible and essential for fruit-bearing plants. Post-harvest, a thorough clean prevents bacterial growth. It’s an innovative, compact solution for fresh produce right at home. Explore further and uncover the efficient ways the Aerogarden Harvest can transform your indoor gardening experience.
What is an Aerogarden Harvest?
If you’ve ever dreamed of cultivating your own indoor garden, the Aerogarden Harvest could be just what you’re looking for; it’s a hydroponic system that allows you to grow herbs, vegetables, and even flowers right on your kitchen counter using only water. This innovative gadget uses the science of hydroponics, a method of growing plants without soil, to offer you the convenience of having fresh produce at your fingertips.
Most Aerogardens, including the Harvest model, come with a starter pack of seed pods and a bottle of nutrients to help kick-start your indoor gardening journey. The seed pods included in the starter pack usually contain a variety of herbs, but you can also purchase separate packs for growing different types of vegetables, such as tomatoes.
However, it’s important to note that cultivating plants with the Aerogarden Harvest isn’t an instantaneous process. It can take a few months for the seeds to germinate and grow into herbs and vegetables that you can use in your dishes. But there’s a peculiar satisfaction in knowing that these fresh ingredients came straight from your kitchen counter.
The Aerogarden Harvest may not be a device that will save you a lot of money in the long run, but it’s definitely a fun and useful gadget to have in the kitchen. Having used the Aerogarden for over a year to grow herbs and tomatoes, it’s safe to say that it’s a reliable piece of equipment that can bring a touch of greenery and freshness into your home.
things to know
There are five key aspects you need to understand about the Aerogarden Harvest for best use and plant growth.
- Lighting Timer: When you first plug in your Aerogarden Harvest, the lights automatically turn on for 15 hours, then off for 9 hours, mimicking natural sunlight. To adjust the ‘On’ time, press and hold the Lights On/Off button for about 3 seconds until it blinks, setting your new on time.
- The Pump: A small air pump submerged in the water bowl provides essential oxygen to the plant’s roots. It operates for 5 minutes and then shuts off for 25 minutes. To test the pump, tap the green button once; you’ll hear a slight bubbling sound when it’s on.
- Water Level: As plants grow, the water level decreases. An indicator light turns on when the level drops below 1/2 capacity, but it’s best to keep it topped off before that happens. Monitor and add more water as needed.
- Crowding: Seed pod holes are positioned just 2.5-3” apart, limiting space for each plant to expand. It’s recommended to start at half capacity for optimal growth.
- Unused Seed Pod Holes: If not using all available seed pod holes, cover the unused ones with tin foil and tape to prevent debris from entering the water bowl.
Understanding these aspects can go a long way in ensuring your Aerogarden Harvest effectively supports your plants’ growth.
What Can You Grow in an AeroGarden?
Now that you’re familiar with the key aspects of the Aerogarden Harvest, you might be wondering what types of plants you can grow in this innovative indoor garden. The good news is that the Aerogarden Harvest is versatile enough to accommodate a wide range of plants.
Herbs are probably the most popular choice. Fresh basil or thyme from your own indoor garden not only tastes better, but it’s also incredibly satisfying. Lettuces are another excellent choice. They’re highly productive and can be harvested several times before needing to be replanted.
Are you a fan of tomatoes? Yes, you can grow them in the Aerogarden, but there’s a catch. Tomato plants tend to be large and heavy, so they’re better suited for the larger Bounty or Farm units. If you’re adamant about growing tomatoes in your Aerogarden, stick to smaller varieties, like grape or cherry tomatoes.
Peppers can also be grown, but keep in mind that there’s a limit to the vertical space. You’ll need to keep the plant trimmed to avoid scorching the leaves on the LEDs.
How to Manually Pollinate in the AeroGarden
Growing self-pollinating plants like peppers or tomatoes in your AeroGarden requires you to manually pollinate the flowers, a simple but important step to guarantee successful fruit production. Since your indoor AeroGarden lacks natural pollinators like bees, it’s up to you to take charge of this vital process. Don’t worry, it’s quite straightforward and easy to master.
When your plants start blooming, you’ll notice the flowers opening up. This is your cue to start the manual pollination process. To help you navigate this, here’s a simple, four-step guide:
- Identify Open Flowers:
- The first step is to spot the open flowers on your plant. These are your starting point for collecting pollen.
- Gather Pollen:
- Once you’ve identified the open flowers, gently swipe your fingertip or a cotton swab across the inside of these blossoms.
- You should notice a small amount of white dust – that’s the pollen.
- Spread the Pollen:
- Transfer the pollen you’ve collected to other open flowers.
- Gently brush the pollen across each flower’s pistil, which is the female reproductive part of the flower.
- Repeat Regularly:
- Keep repeating this process every few days as new flowers open.
- Remember, only the pollinated flowers will morph into fruits!
Cleaning and Reusing The AeroGarden
Once you’ve mastered the art of manual pollination and enjoyed a bountiful harvest, your next task is to clean and prepare your AeroGarden for the next growing cycle. You might feel a sense of accomplishment from your successful harvest, but remember, the job isn’t done until you’ve properly cleaned your system.
Post-harvest, it’s important to thoroughly clean your AeroGarden, eliminating any risk of bacteria or mold growth in the water bowl. This step guarantees that you maintain a healthy environment for your next set of plants. Here, the process isn’t as challenging as it seems. Interestingly, the cleaning process depends on whether or not you have a dishwasher at your disposal.
If you do, the cleaning process is quite straightforward. You can simply place the grow deck and water bowl on the top rack and run the dishwasher. The key is to properly dry the parts before reassembling to avoid any residual moisture. On the contrary, if you don’t have a dishwasher, don’t fret. You have an equally effective alternative.
For this, you’ll need a solution of water and 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach to fill the water bowl. In case you don’t want to use bleach, distilled vinegar is an excellent alternative. The next step is to plug in the unit and allow the pump to circulate the cleaning solution once. Afterwards, drain the bleach or vinegar, refill with water and run the pump once again. After rinsing and thoroughly drying, your AeroGarden is ready for another productive growing cycle.
Conclusion
To wrap up, the AeroGarden Harvest is a versatile, user-friendly indoor gardening system. It allows you to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from herbs to flowers, with ease. However, manual pollination is necessary for some plants. Cleaning and reusing the AeroGarden is straightforward, adding to its appeal. Overall, it’s a nifty gadget for any green thumb, or a beginner keen to explore indoor gardening. It’s a solid investment towards a greener, fresher lifestyle.